Provo UT vs Sparks NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Provo
114,303
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Provo
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Provo
23.7
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Provo
12.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
Provo
78.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Provo
1.1%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Provo
2.2%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Provo
18.9%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Provo
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,303 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 23.7 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 78.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 1.1% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Provo
$62,800
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Provo
$26,755
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Provo
$60,713
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
Provo
4.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Provo
22.3%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Provo
45.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,800 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $26,755 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $60,713 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 22.3% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Provo
39.9%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $486,127 | $530,668 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.9% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
245
Provo +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Provo
1931
Provo +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 245 | 460 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1931 | 2417 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
30.7%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Sparks
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Provo
21.5%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Sparks
13.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
Sparks
12.9%
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.7% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 9.8% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.5% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.8% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 18.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.0% | 12.9% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
53.4°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Provo
19.8 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 53.4°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.8 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Provo
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.0 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Provo
20.1 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Provo, UT | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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